Police said Wednesday that 457 package thefts were reported in Denver in 2017 through Dec. 12. That compares with 324 package thefts in all of 2016 and 313 package thefts reported in 2015.

Package thefts reach a zenith in December as holiday deliveries are made to homes and residents are at work or out and about. In December 2015, there were 93 package thefts reported in Denver. Last year 97 were reported, and this year 33 were reported through Tuesday.

900-foot spool of wire ripped off from Colorado Springs construction site

To cut down on porch-pirate thefts, police suggest consumers have packages delivered to work or to neighbors who are more likely to be home. Arrangements also can be made to sign for packages; in such cases, deliveries will not be left if no one is home. Real-time-tracking options can help cut down on thefts.

Amazon offers a home delivery service — Amazon Key — that allows delivery people into homes to drop off boxes. The service is offered in Denver.